Poetic messages of encouragement lift spirits in epidemic

"Fear not the want of armor, for mine is also yours to wear." （豈曰無衣，與子同裳）

The poem, which lauds the camaraderie of soldiers heading for a battle, was printed on the package of a batch of medical supplies from Japan to China.

It comes from the Classic of Poetry (Shi Jing in Chinese), the oldest collection of Chinese poetry. It is comprised of works dating back to the 11th century BC.

The following verses of the poem, which did not appear on the boxes, read:

"The war comes from the great will of our Sire,

Let's make sure the armor suits and spear,

We move forward together in warfare!"

(王于興師，修我甲兵。與子偕行!)